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Category: Commision

A look at the final steps before the new Killer Whale Totem is completed.

The Killer Whale Totem, the newest monumental work by Preston Singletary, is almost complete and has been successfully cast in lead crystal. The final step in this year–long process is finishing and refining all of the surface areas.

Following the completion of the first Family Story Totem series, The Killer Whale Totem features Singletary’s moiety (the Eagle) on top, his clan crest (the Killer Whale) in the center, and a thunderbird that represents David Svenson who is the carver of the wooden pole.

This process started in winter 2017; first the totem was carved in wood, which was then used to create a mold. Using a lost wax process the piece was then cast in several sections. Standing at nearly eight feet tall the Killer Whale Totem will weigh close to 2,500 pounds when completed.

Stay tuned for updates on this exceptional project and as we unveil the final piece. Please feel free to contact the Preston Singletary Studio with any questions.

Killer Whale Totem - Carved Wood, 106” x 33.5” x 22”

Killer Whale Totem - Cast lead crystal, small version 36” tall

A Modern Creation Story - A look at how the Family Story Totem was created in lead crystal.

Introducing the newest monumental work by Preston Singletary to be cast in lead crystal, “Killer Whale Totem”. Stay tuned for updates of this exceptional project as we follow the progress from this early stage to the final work.

Introducing the newest monumental work by Preston Singletary to be cast in lead crystal, “Killer Whale Totem”. Following the success of the “Family Story Totem”, this large totem pole features Singletary’s clan crest (Killer Whale) in the center, his moiety (Eagle) on top, and a thunderbird in the center that represents David Svenson, the carver of the wooden pole. At the bottom are soul catcher forms flanking human faces.

At nearly 8 feet tall the “Killer Whale Totem” will weigh close to 3,000 pounds when complete. Created in a very limited edition of three totems total, each will be in a different color. A mold will be crafted from the wood model and then used to cast the piece in lead crystal. This monumental totem will be cast in the Czech Republic and is projected to take twelve months to complete. The wood model to create the first of the series has recently been sent to the Czech Republic.

Stay tuned for updates of this exceptional project as we follow the progress from this early stage to the final work.

“Killer Whale Totem” - Carved Wood Model

Learn more about the “Family Story Totem”, the first in the completed series of large scale totems by Preston Singletary.

Learn more about the smaller "Killer Whale Totem" in lead crystal, the first of which was recently completed.

Preston Singletary was commissioned to create the 2011 American Indian College Fund Blanket for Pendleton Woolen Mills.

In March of this year, Pendleton Woolen Mills unveiled their newest blanket in their American Indian College Fund Series. Raven and the Box of Knowlege was designed by Preston Singletary.

From Pendleton’s website: ”This intriguing blanket is based on a work by internationally renowned glass artist Preston Singletary. Mr. Singletary grew up in the Pacific Northwest – both of his great-grandparents were full-blooded Tlingit Indians. His works explore traditional images and legends of his Tlingit heritage translated into glass. The image on this blanket represents Raven, a shape shifter and trickster who often employed crafty schemes to achieve his goals. In the story, the old chief who lived at the head of the Nass River kept his precious treasures – the sun, the moon and the stars – in beautifully carved boxes. Raven steals the light, and making his escape carries the sun in his mouth. The sun is a metaphor for enlightenment or knowledge. The ombred background shades meet in the center in vibrant colors of sun and light. Mr. Singletary’s artworks are included in museum collections from the National Museum of the American Indian in Washington, DC to the Handelsbanken in Stockholm, Sweden. He is a member of the Board of Trustees for the Seattle Art Museum. A portion of the proceeds from this blanket will be donated to the American Indian College Fund to help support tribal colleges. Unnapped. Felt-bound. 82% pure virgin wool/18% cotton. Dry clean. Made in the USA. 64 x 80 inches.”

American Indian College Fund
The American Indian College Fund raises money for 32 tribal colleges that serve 30,000 students representing 250 native tribes. The fund disburses approximately 5,000 scholarships annually for American Indian students seeking to better their lives through continued education. The tribal colleges play a vital role in the futures of Native American people, our country and, ultimately, people everywhere. For over 100 years, Pendleton Woolen Mills has maintained a mutual respect for our original customers, Native Americans. That is one of the many reasons we are pleased to support this important philanthropic partnership. When you purchase any blanket from our American Indian College Fund Collection, a portion of the proceeds goes to help tribal colleges throughout the country. To find out more about the American Indian College Fund, call 1-800-776-3863, or visit www.collegefund.org.